Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electron beam, comprising a support structure; a miniature ultrahigh vacuum chamber comprising a superconducting single walled metallic-type carbon nanotube comprised of a cylindrical wall, a proximal end disposed upon and sealed to the support structure, and a distal end comprising an electron-transparent structure; an electron beam emitting tip comprising a second carbon nanotube embedded in the support structure and disposed within the superconducting single walled metallic-type carbon nanotube, the second carbon nanotube having an inner surface with a thin conductive coating disposed thereupon; and means for creating an electrical potential difference the electron beam emitting tip and the cylindrical wall of said superconducting carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A device for guiding a charged particle beam comprising a first superconducting nano-channel. In one embodiment, the device comprises a superconducting nano-channel consisting essentially of a superconducting material in the form of a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bend disposed between said proximal end and said distal end. In another embodiment, the device is formed by a substrate, a first area of superconducting material coated on the substrate and having a first edge, a second area of superconducting material coated on the substrate and having a second edge, the first edge of the first area of superconducting material and the second edge of the second area of superconducting material are substantially parallel. In another embodiment, the device comprises a superconducting nano-channel formed by a plurality of nano-scale superconducting rods disposed around a central region.

Abstract: A magneto-optical head with a centrally-located solid immersion lens and a coil formed radially about the lens advantageously utilizes an insulating material with a relatively high thermal conductivity for isolating the coil and avoiding heat damage to the head when current is passed through the head during a write operation. First and second coils in first and second coil layers are coupled by a via to form a continuous coil. A combination of a chemical-mechanical contouring operation and the lack of any intervening low thermal conductivity material adjacent the coil effectively produces an insulation layer that is thin but has a contour with a very smooth surface, resulting in a highly compact multiple-level coil.

Abstract: A method for data exchange with a mobile asset including the step of comparing the quality of the communication link to a predetermined value prior to initiating the communication. Polling of a fleet of mobile assets may be scheduled by considering a map of the communication link quality along the route of the mobile assets. An optimal packet size may be selected for the data transfer by considering the quality of the communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for coating substrates. The coating process includes an improved capacity and uniformity through the addition of a second motion component in which the substrates move in a closed path. A major portion of the path is linear and the configuration of the coating machine is such that all substrates follow the same trajectory with respect to the machine during the coating process, resulting in a coating which is substantially the same for all substrates.

Abstract: Methods and systems according to the present invention permit a manufacturer, supplier or other purveyor of electronics assembly system equipment, solutions or the like, to market and to sell their offerings based on a customer benefit sharing approach. The purveyor's incentives are therefore aligned with the customer's and superior performance, if achieved, will not only benefit the customer, but may also redound to the financial benefit of the purveyor. Various such customer-benefit sharing approaches, including performance guarantees and the setting of prices to be paid by customers based upon actual performance of the system(s) and/or solutions(s) purchased, are described, as are the underlying methods and tools that permit the customer benefit sharing approach to be done in a practicable fashion. The purveyor's ability to offer such arrangements turns on its ability to accurately and efficiently model the customer's system under various scenarios, according to principles of the present invention.

Abstract: Etched substrate produced by chemical-mechanical processing of a patterned substrate which selectively etches patterned portions of the substrate surface, producing deep narrow features with a rapid etch rate. This chemical-mechanical processing is termed chemical-mechanical etching and produces a result that is substantially the opposite of the planarization that is achieved by conventional chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) technique which is widely used for planarization of surfaces is converted for usage as an etching technique, a chemical-mechanical etching (CME) technique, by forming a patterned mask on the substrate surface prior to mechanical polishing. The usage of chemical-mechanical polishing techniques in this manner yields an etching method with properties including a rapid etch rate, a highly controllable etch rate, a highly controllable etch depth, and a greatly selective etch directionality.

Abstract: A distributed power system for remotely controlling a locomotive, the system comprising a position-determining device for determining a position of the locomotive, a pre-stored track database comprising terrain and contour data about a railroad track, a track database integrity monitor for detecting errors with the pre-stored track database, a processor comprising an algorithm to determine a distributed power for the locomotive and to use the track database integrity monitor to determine if errors exist in the pre-stored track database, and a memory device connected to the processor.

Abstract: Methods and tools for quickly and accurately performing complex customer benefit modeling for an electronic components assembly system are disclosed. In one embodiment, predefined user interfaces allow a consultant, customers, salespersons, or line designers to input a line configuration by selecting from a list predefined objects that represent specific line components. In addition, the user inputs other line configuration data specific to the line being configured. The information contained in the user interface is extracted for use a discrete event simulator. Templates for simulation objects may be created in advance and populated with data from the input interface. A simulation is built and run. Simulation results may be exported to an output means, which may allow for custom generated reports. The reporting means may include a means for allowing customer specific information and data to be inputted.

Abstract: Chemical-mechanical processing of a patterned substrate selectively etches patterned portions of the substrate surface, producing deep narrow features with a rapid etch rate. This chemical-mechanical processing is termed chemical-mechanical etching and produces a result that is substantially the opposite of the planarization that is achieved by conventional chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) technique which is widely used for planarization of surfaces is converted for usage as an etching technique, a chemical-mechanical etching (CME) technique, by forming a patterned mask on the substrate surface prior to mechanical polishing. The usage of chemical-mechanical polishing techniques in this manner yields an etching method with properties including a rapid etch rate, a highly controllable etch rate, a highly controllable etch depth, and a greatly selective etch directionality.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electronics assembly system consultation and sales build upon an approach to modeling and simulation of such systems in which the system is modeled at a preselected level of abstraction, which in the preferred embodiment of the invention is the material flow level of abstraction. Models capable of producing accurate results, but that avoid predicting system events at too low a level of detail, in turn permit the generation of configuration options for a customer, along with substantiated performance predictions, within a comparatively short period of time, one that permits various assembly system configurations to be proposed and evaluated within the course of a particular customer visit.

Abstract: A distributed power system for remotely controlling a locomotive, the system comprising a position-determining device for determining a position of the locomotive, a pre-stored track database comprising terrain and contour data about a railroad track, a track database integrity monitor for detecting errors with the pre-stored track database, a processor comprising an algorithm to determine a distributed power for the locomotive and to use the track database integrity monitor to determine if errors exist in the pre-stored track database, and a memory device connected to the processor.

Abstract: An upright product merchandiser that increases the space available for displaying products such as cross-merchandised products without interfering with shelved products, is disclosed. The product merchandiser includes a first elongate rung and a second elongate rung which is spaced apart from the first elongate rung. The first and second elongate rungs extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. A plurality of V-shaped rungs are spaced apart from each other and extend generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. Each V-shaped rung includes a first leg and a second leg that diverge from an apex. The first leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to a first elongate rung, and the second leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to a second elongate rung.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyimide systems which simultaneously offer low toxicity, a high glass transition temperature, excellent thermal oxidative stability, and desirable processing characteristics. These various polyimide systems include mixtures of monomeric reactants, polyimide-precursor reaction products, polyimides, and polyimide-containing articles. In one aspect of the invention, the mixture of monomeric reactants includes at least one dia-nhydride or a derivative thereof, and at least one diamine. The diamine may be 4,4′-[1,4-phenylene-bis(1-methylethylidene)]bisaniline, 4,4′-[1,3-phenylene-bis(1-methylethylidene)]bisaniline, and/or a derivative thereof. The diamine also may include a phenylenediamine, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxyl)phenyl]propane, 4,4′(1,4-phenylene-bismethylene)bisaniline, and/or a derivative thereof. In addition, the mixture may include a reactive end-capping agent and/or a non-reactive end-capping agent.

Abstract: A gun barrel control target sling is applied to firearms, such as rifles, pistols, shotguns, bb guns, crossbows, and other hand held firing devices, such as rocket launchers, bazookas, etc. The target sling includes a flexible adjustable strap which extends obliquely downward from a forward part of a gun barrel in the vicinity of where the barrel is held by the non-trigger activating hand down to the forearm of the same arm of the shooter, to provide a counteracting force upon the repulsive explosive upward force of the gun when shot. This sling strap generally is a linearly extending strap approximately 1/2 inch by 24 inches, preferably having adjustable members, such as a series of corresponding slots into which fasteners can be placed to maximize a taunt fit between the gun and the forearm of the user. The downward oblique tension of the sling strap provides a counteracting force to upward movement of the gun.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided in which a magnetic yoke assembly is built up, layer by layer, atop a substrate using semiconductor thin film techniques. A lower yoke assembly is first fabricated including a lower magnetic layer situated on the substrate and first and second side poles built up vertically from the ends of the lower magnetic layer. A coil structure is situated about one of the side poles and is separated therefrom by planar insulative layers in which the coil structure is disposed. An insulative pedestal surrounded by a frame is formed at the top of the lower yoke assembly and extends above the uppermost lateral plane of the yoke assembly. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) wear layer is deposited atop the pedestal. A pole well is excavated in the DLC layer so as to expose the first and second side poles therebelow. A first magnetic pole including a gap end is plated in the pole well at the top of the first side pole and extending toward the second side pole.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is fabricated on a substrate by depositing a seed layer on the substrate. A lower magnetic layer is plated on the substrate in an opening provided in an insulative layer which is deposited on the seed layer. A plurality of magnetic layers are plated at one end of the lower magnetic layer to build-up and form a first side pole by using the above seed layer as a seed. Another plurality of magnetic layers are plated at the other end of the lower magnetic layer to build-up and form a second side pole by using the same seed layer as a seed. The first and second side poles thus formed include upper and lower ends, the lower ends being plated to the ends of the lower magnetic layer. A first upper pole is plated to the upper end of the first side pole. The first upper pole includes a gap end facing the second side pole. A gap region of nonmagnetic material is deposited adjacent the gap end of the first upper pole.